A highly-regarded schoolboy fast bowler, David Terbrugge took longer than might have been expected to play international cricket. In no small part this was the result of a back injury he suffered as an 18-year-old when he had to return home from the South African U19 tour of England in 1995. As a consequence of the injury, there were often concerns expressed about his ability to get through a season without breaking down and his cause was not helped when, after bowling particularly well against the 1998-99 West Indians, he underwent an ankle operation. Terbrugge returned to the fray in 1999-2000, however, fit, strong and perhaps a little quicker than he had been previously. A fast-medium seamer very much in the mould of Shaun Pollock, he shares many virtues with the South African captain. Also red-headed, Terbrugge gets in tight to the stumps, bowls an immaculate line and moves the ball away from the bat late. He played four Tests against Brian Lara's West Indians, taking nine wickets, but also doing an exceptional job of tying up an end whenever the ball was tossed to him. Surprisngly, he had to wait until 2000 before making his one-day debut, but when he was brought back into the side again in the Singer Cup, he responded magnificently, claiming 4 for 20 to help bowl South Africa to victory over Pakistan. But he was hit by a variety of injuries and never quite became a regular member of the side. A back injury suffered in the 2005-06 season led to his retirement the following season, at the age of 29.
Peter Robinson (October 2006)

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